Preparing for worship

Transcription

1 Fourth Sunday in Advent December 18, 2016

2 Preparing for worship This morning we hear selections from one of the best-known pieces of choral literature in history, Messiah by George Frederick Handel. We re only hearing selections because the entire work runs more than two hours. Give credit for the beautiful music to Handel, but take a moment to consider the influence of someone else too. William Jennens, a frequent contributor of musical texts to Handel, crafted the text, or libretto, entirely from the King James Version of Scripture. Jennens had an agenda, and he wanted to tap Handel s musical skills to advance that agenda. Jennens intended to counter a controversial theology of the day known as Deism. Deists favored rational thought over spiritual thought and specifically rejected the notion of revelation. They challenged the idea that the Old Testament could prophesy Jesus divinity, incarnation and resurrection. Jennens set out to prove them wrong by weaving Old Testament prophecies with New Testament fulfillments. Scholarly research has shown that many of the specific texts Jennens chose for Messiah are the very ones anti-deists used in defense of their faith in this era. Jennens drew from 79 Scripture passages in both the Old and New Testaments to create the libretto. He interspersed Scripture to tell a story unlike the way it would be read straight from the Bible. And unlike the way we hear the work today, the oratorio was written as an Easter pageant. It is a passion play, not a Christmas cantata. In its fullness, Messiah is the story of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Christmas performances are believed to have begun in 1791, 50 years after the oratorio s composition. Despite its title, neither the Messiah s name or voice are heard within the work. And although pulled entirely from Scripture, the libretto skips biblical passages describing the Messiah s birth. The music of Messiah was composed in a 22-day period, from August 22 to September 12, This greatly aggravated Jennens, who thought Handel did not take adequate time to do justice to the profound text. Jennens complained bitterly about this, both to Handel and to others. Upon first hearing the oratorio, Jennens was deeply disappointed. Numerous stories are told of unique and mysterious things happening during the scoring of Messiah. Most of these bear no historical support. For example, there is no historical evidence that Handel was ill during the composition of Messiah and was miraculously cured upon writing the Hallelujah chorus. Over time, the combination of Jennens text and Handel s music has had a mysterious and unique effect upon many people, however. So much so that we modern Christians take for granted the theological point that was so important to Jennens. We accept the idea that Jesus birth in Bethlehem was, indeed, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Because of Handel and Jennens, we easily associate the prophecies of Isaiah with the birth of the Messiah and consider Jesus to be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Mark Wingfield Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Road Dallas, Texas (214) Partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ON THE COVER: John 1: Timothy R. Botts Eyekons 2

3 The Worship of God Sunday, December 18, :30 & 11:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Advent Chiming of the Hour The people of Wilshire gather this morning to worship God. In order for this service of worship to be focused upon that purpose, please turn off all cell phones, pagers and alarm watches. Prelude Sinfony Handel Orchestra +Processional Hymn 126 Angels, from the Realms of Glory regent square Lighting the Candle of Love Preparing for the Nativity Litany *Clint and Liz Felton with Jack and Kate **Rob and Elizabeth Thomas with Trey *Katie Farner, Lucy Kate Murray **Tyler Elliott, Cate Tabor Paula Woodbury / Alison Ashmore Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you! The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Let us receive the Lord our God with gladness! Today we light the Angel Candle of Love, acknowledging that God is love and that Jesus is the Beautiful Savior, the image of God s love. Let us receive the Lord our God with gladness! As we wait for the night of Christ s birth, grant us grace to cleanse ourselves of all that is not lovely, as we seek to become more like Christ and worship him alone. Help us to love all whom God loves, just as we have been loved by God. And help us to reflect the glory of the Lord that shines upon us. Let us receive the Lord our God with gladness! Greeting to Worshipers Mark Wingfield Guests are invited to take a Response Card from the pew rack, complete it and place it in the offering plate later in the service. We would love to know you were here today. Prayer concerns will be addressed this hour when listed on an intercessory prayer card from the pew rack and placed in the offering plate. *8:30 worship service / **11:00 worship service +All congregants who are able are invited to stand. Hearing devices are available in the Narthex and South Atrium. 3

4 Recitative Comfort Ye My People Handel Joe Whitenton, tenor Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God; Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, That her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wildnerness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:1-3 Air Every Valley Shall Be Exalted Handel Joe Whitenton, tenor Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; The crooked straight, and the rough places plain. Isaiah 40:4 Chorus And the Glory of the Lord Handel Sanctuary Choir And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5 Reading Malachi 3:1-3 Garrett Woodbury / Ava McClung See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Prayers of the People Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 Kevin Sinclair / Timothy Peoples Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Jason Woodbury / Shawn Ashmore Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. 4

5 Chorus O Thou That Tellest Handel Sanctuary Choir O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, good tidings to Jerusalem, Arise, arise, say unto the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 40:9; 60:1 Meditation Reading Isaiah 60:2,3; 9:2 George Mason Jason Woodbury / Shawn Ashmore For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. Chorus For Unto Us a Child Is Born Handel Sanctuary Choir For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, And the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Giving of Tithes and Offerings When you give to Wilshire s Unified Budget, you support the Gaston Christian Center, which has turned a single church s property into a home for seven congregations and multiple faith-based ministries all under one roof in North Dallas. Offertory Pastoral Symphony Handel Orchestra Recitatives There Were Shepherds - And Lo, the Angel - And the Angel - And Suddenly Misty Birtcher, soprano Handel There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying... Luke 2:8-13 5

6 Chorus Glory to God Handel Sanctuary Choir Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 Reading Zechariah 9:9, 10 Paula Woodbury / Alison Ashmore Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Air He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd Handel Misty Birtcher, soprano He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, And he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, And gently lead those that are with young. +Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25 Garrett Woodbury / Ava McClung Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Leader: This is the word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Meditation George Mason +Hymn of Commitment 127 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing mendelssohn Welcome to New Members George Mason 6

7 Choral Benediction Hallelujah Handel Sanctuary Choir Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ; And He shall reign for ever and ever. All guests are invited to a coffee reception in James Gallery immediately after the 11:00 service. Orchestra Violin 1 Mark Miller Amela Koci Abigail Potts Lesser Violin 2 Anne Bonnet Bethany Wildes Hubert Pralitz Viola Catherine Price Allain Jenny Sweetman Cello Debbie Brooks Bass Paul Unger Oboe Sharon Lacey Trumpet Bert Truax 7

8 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... MATTHEW 28:19 OFFERING FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS Global Poverty Cooperative Baptists seek sustainable responses to systems of poverty that devalue life and diminish the image of God. Global Migration Cooperative Baptists extend hope and hospitality to those who are driven by circumstances or drawn by opportunity away from their homes. Your gifts to the Offering for Global Missions support the long-term presence of CBF field personnel meeting needs in the following contexts: Global Church Cooperative Baptists befriend Christians from around the world to share and receive gifts and to engage in God s mission together through worship, fellowship, education and service. 8

9 After more than two decades of Christian witness in 30 countries, CBF stands convinced that there are no shortcuts to making disciples of all nations. Whether translating the Bible into a previously unwritten language, educating Chinese lay leaders and pastors to build the Church and to spread the Gospel, or resurrecting hope in rural America, the transformation we seek requires a patient, incarnational witness with others. 31% MISSION PROGRAMMING Ministries, special projects, travel 69% MISSION PRESENCE Secures long-term presence of CBF Field Personnel (salaries, benefits/insurance, housing) WHEN YOU GIVE... YOU KEEP MINISTERS ON THE MISSION FIELD Under a bold new plan that clarifies the vision for CBF Global Missions, gifts to the Offering for Global Missions support the transformative impact that long-term mission presence enables. When you give, you are investing in the cost of presence, that is, the salaries, benefits, housing costs and children s educational needs for all CBF field personnel. 9

10 This week at Wilshire Continued from back page Macedonia mission. A small group from Wilshire will to travel to Macedonia April to visit the ministry sites of CBF field personnel and 2016 Missions Plus recipients Jeff and Alicia Lee. The group will visit with refugees in asylum centers and also adults residing in an adult daycare facility. Contact Heather Mustain for more information. Koinonia Café. No Wednesday activities will be held the next two weeks due to the holidays. Lunch and the noon Bible study will resume on Jan. 4; Wednesday evening dinner and programs will resume on Jan. 11. Homeless count. On the evening of Jan. 26, Wilshire Will be a training center for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance annual homeless count. Volunteers will be sent out all over the city to talk to and record an accurate count for the government of how many homeless men, women and families we have in our city. Make plans now to volunteer for this life-changing opportunity. Also, on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 16, Wilshire volunteers will help MDHA stuff training packets and make hygiene kits to hand out to those interviewed. Room in the Inn. The Missions Committee hopes to build a new ministry team to lead an initiative called Room in the Inn. During the warmest and coldest nights of the year, churches are asked to host small groups of homeless men or women overnight, as local shelters are turning away on average 30 to 50 people. By offering a safe and warm place for people to sleep, Wilshire will be helping fill a gap in our community. This initiative began in Nashville many years ago, and there are currently a dozen churches in Fort Worth serving in this way. Volunteers are needed for set-up and clean-up, to provide linens for cots, provide dinner and breakfast, provide transportation and to spend the night at the church. Contact Heather Mustain to volunteer. Staff contacts George A. Mason, Ph.D. Senior Pastor (214) Mark Wingfield Associate Pastor (214) Doug Haney Minister of Music (214) Sarah Stafford Associate Minister of Music (214) Jeff Brummel Music Associate/Organist (214) Tiffany Wright Minister for Care Ministries (214) Jessica Capps Minister to Senior Adults (214) Darren DeMent Minister to Students (214) Julie Girards Minister to Children (214) Joan Hammons Minister to Preschoolers (214) Heather Mustain Minister of Missions (214) Katie Murray Christian Advocacy Specialist (214) Timothy Peoples Pastoral Resident (214) Kevin Sinclair Pastoral Resident (214) Jakob Topper Pastoral Resident (214) David Nabors Director of Business Admin. (214) Dale Pride Facilities Manager (214) J. Preston Bright Associate Pastor Emeritus To any staff member, use the first letter of the first name combined with the full last name and 10

11 Meet today s worship leaders Alison and Shawn Ashmore came to Wilshire in 2012 and will begin serving as directors of a new Sunday School Class called Perennial in January. Shawn serves on the Preschool Education Committee and works with the Young Musicians Choir on Wednesdays; he is studying spiritual formation through Heartpaths DFW, a living school of contemplation. Alison is a business litigation attorney with the Dykema Gossett firm. Misty Birtcher is one of Wilshire s Choral Scholars. She is from Houston, where she grew up at West University Baptist Church. She is a vocal performance major at Southern Methodist University. Liz and Clint Felton came to Wilshire in 2010 and are members of Labyrinth Class. She serves on the Weekday Education Committee and helps with a preschool choir on Wednesday nights. They are the parents of Jack, who is 6, and Kate, who is 3. Elizabeth and Rob Thomas came to Wilshire in 2005 and are members of Avodah Class. They are the parents of Trey, who is 1. Joe Whitenton is one of Wilshire s Choral Scholars. He is from Austin and is a music education and vocal performance major at Southern Methodist University. Paula and Jason Woodbury came to Wilshire in They are members of Seekers Class and both have served in many ways in the church. Jason will become chair-elect of deacons in Paula, who also is a deacon, recently served on the Inclusion and Diversity Study Group and serves on the Christian Advocacy Committee. They are the parents of Garrett, who is a seventh grader at Lake Highlands Junior High and active in Wilshire s student ministry and Youth Choir, and Kathryn, who is a second grader at Wallace Elementary. Ava McClung is a seventh grader. She is the daughter of Britt and Carole McClung. At Wilshire, she is active in the student ministry, sings in Youth Choir and plays with the youth handbells and serves as a teacher in preschool choir. Welcome to Wilshire today. If you are a guest with us today, we welcome you warmly to our congregation. We would like to get to know you and tell you more about our church. Please take a Response Card from the pew rack, fill it out and place it in the offering plate when it comes by. There is a Welcome Center in James Gallery where volunteers are ready to greet you and help you find a Bible study class. You also are invited to the Wilshire Welcome Class that meets every Sunday in McIver Chapel. Someone to talk with. If you are facing a life challenge and would like to have a spiritual friend to walk alongside you for a season of healing, perhaps you would benefit from a Stephen Minister. Learn more at wilshirebc.org or contact Tiffany Wright at (214)

12 This week at Wilshire Nativities on display. The Wilshire Library is decorated for Advent and Christmas with a collection of more than 80 nativities from around the world provided by Linda Garner. Also, Betty Skelton has provided two Christmas quilt pieces and an angel set on display. Christmas Eve at Wilshire. Bring friends and family with you to observe Christmas Eve worship on Saturday, Dec. 24. The 5:00 p.m. candlelight service will be family friendly; no child care will be provided but all children are welcome in the service. The 11:00 p.m. candlelight service follows a more liturgical pattern and includes celebration of the Lord s Supper. Christmas Day and New Year s Day worship. Christmas and New Year s fall on Sundays this year. On both Sundays, Wilshire will gather for a 10:00 worship hour with no Sunday School classes. Coffee and cocoa will be served in James Gallery beginning at 9:15 a.m. New adult class. On Jan. 8, a new adult Sunday School class will begin called Perennial: Recurring Themes and Timeless Characters. This class will use a rotation of teachers to present a two-year cycle of lessons that focus on the great themes and characters of the Bible. Each week s lesson will explore a character study (like Abraham) or a grand theme (like grace) as it plays out through the Bible. Shawn and Alison Ashmore will direct this new class, which is intended to be intergenerational. Aleppo relief. In the countryside just north of Aleppo, Syria, there is one relief agency providing food and warmth to those fleeing brutality and violence. It is Preemptive Love Coalition, one of Wilshire s Missions Plus partners. Currently serving about 20,000 people, the staff on the ground expect that number to at least double in the next few weeks. An initial gift from Wilshire has been made from available missions funds, but all undesignated offerings given on Christmas Eve will be sent for this cause too. Questions for parents. On Jan. 11 and 18, LeAnn Hampton will lead a special Wednesday night class for parents introducing the book I Wonder: Engaging a Child s Curiosity about the Bible. This book is a resource for adults who want to help children read, engage, wrestle and grow into deeper understanding of the Bible. The class will meet on both Wednesday nights from 6 to 6:50 p.m. in Room 1205-L. Philippians study. Beginning Jan. 11, a study on the book of Philippians will be offered for adults on Wednesday nights from 6 to 6:50 p.m. The same study will be offered at noon on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 4. New members: Charles Pierce, Kaylee Pierce, Lenora McPeak. Generosity update. Meeting the basic needs of the church s operating expenses requires an additional $560,000 in contributions between now and Dec. 31. Giving beyond that level will allow distributions to priority areas including Pathways to Ministry, Building Reserve Fund, Missions Plus Fund and Vision 20/20 special projects. Gifts for 2016 must be received in the church office no later than 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, or mailed with a postmark no later than Dec. 31. Contributions also may be given via the Wilshire website or app for smartphones and tablets. Spring break mission. Anyone interested in serving with our mission partner, Delta Hands for Hope, is invited on a spring break mission trip. The group will travel by carpool, leaving Wilshire the morning of March 11 and return March 16. Opportunities include hosting a camp for kids and youth as well as small construction and renovation and projects at the local school. Contact Heather Mustain for more information. Continued on page 10 Keep up with all the Wilshire news at wilshirebc.org or using our Wilshire app or via social media. Worship live streamed every Sunday at 11:00. 12